Crystal structure of RNase A complexed with d(pA)4

Characterization of an RNase with two catalytic centers. Human RNase6 catalytic and phosphate-binding site arrangement favors the endonuclease cleavage of polymeric substrates

BACKGROUND

Human RNase6 is a small cationic antimicrobial protein that belongs to the vertebrate RNaseA superfamily. All members share a common catalytic mechanism, which involves a conserved catalytic triad, constituted by two histidines and a lysine (His15/His122/Lys38 in RNase6 corresponding to His12/His119/Lys41 in RNaseA). Recently, our first crystal structure of human RNase6 identified an additional His pair (His36/His39) and suggested the presence of a secondary active site.

METHODS

In this work we have explored RNase6 and RNaseA subsite architecture by X-ray crystallography, site-directed mutagenesis and kinetic characterization.

RESULTS

The analysis of two novel crystal structures of RNase6 in complex with phosphate anions at atomic resolution locates a total of nine binding sites and reveals the contribution of Lys87 to phosphate-binding at the secondary active center. Contribution of the second catalytic triad residues to the enzyme activity is confirmed by mutagenesis. RNase6 catalytic site architecture has been compared with an RNaseA engineered variant where a phosphate-binding subsite is converted into a secondary catalytic center (RNaseA-K7H/R10H).

CONCLUSIONS

We have identified the residues that participate in RNase6 second catalytic triad (His36/His39/Lys87) and secondary phosphate-binding sites. To note, residues His39 and Lys87 are unique within higher primates. The RNaseA/RNase6 side-by-side comparison correlates the presence of a dual active site in RNase6 with a favored endonuclease-type cleavage pattern.

GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE

An RNase dual catalytic and extended binding site arrangement facilitates the cleavage of polymeric substrates. This is the first report of the presence of two catalytic centers in a single monomer within the RNaseA superfamily.

DNA melting properties of the dityrosine cross-linked dimer of Ribonuclease A

Several DNA binding proteins exist in dimeric form when bound with DNA to be able to exhibit various biological processes such as DNA repair, DNA replication and gene expression. Various dimeric forms of Ribonuclease A (RNase A) and other members of the ribonuclease A superfamily are endowed with a multitude of biological activities such as antitumor and antiviral activity. In the present study, we have compared the DNA binding properties between the RNase A monomer and the dityrosine (DT) cross-linked RNase A dimer, and checked the inhibitory effect of DNA on the ribonucleolytic activity of the dimeric protein. An agarose gel based assay shows that like the monomer, the dimer also binds with DNA. The number of nucleotides bound per monomer unit of the dimer is higher than the number of nucleotides that bind with the each monomer. From fluorescence measurements, the association constant (Ka) values for complexation of the monomer and the dimer with ct-DNA are (4.95±0.45)×10(4)M(-1) and (1.29±0.05)×10(6)M(-1) respectively. Binding constant (Kb) values for the binding of the monomer and the dimer with ct-DNA were determined using UV-vis spectroscopy and were found to be (4.96±1.67)×10(4)M(-1) and (4.32±0.31)×10(5)M(-1) respectively. Circular dichroism studies shows that the dimer possesses significant effect on DNA conformation. The melting profile for the ct-DNA-dimer indicated that the melting temperature (Tm) for the ct-DNA-dimer complex is lower compared to the ct-DNA-monomer complex. The ribonucleolytic activity of the dimer, like the monomer, diminishes upon binding with DNA.

Biologically relevant oxidants cause bound proteins to readily oxidatively cross-link at Guanine

Oxidative DNA-protein cross-links have received less attention than other types of DNA damage and remain as one of the least understood types of oxidative lesion. A model system using ribonuclease A and a 27-nucleotide DNA was used to determine the propensity of oxidative cross-linking to occur in the presence of oxidants. Cross-link formation was examined using four different oxidation systems that generate singlet oxygen, superoxide, and metal-based Fenton reactions. It is shown that oxidative cross-linking occurs in yields ranging from 14% to a maximal yield of 61% in all oxidative systems when equivalent concentrations of DNA and protein are present. Because singlet oxygen is the most efficient oxidation system in generating DNA-protein cross-links, it was chosen for further analyses. Cross-linking occurred with single-stranded DNA binding protein and not with bovine serum albumin. Addition of salt lowered nonspecific binding affinity and lowered cross-link yield by up to 59%. The yield of cross-linking increased with increased ratios of protein compared with DNA. Cross-linking was highly dependent on the number of guanines in a DNA sequence. Loss of guanine content on the 27-nucleotide DNA led to nearly complete loss in cross-linking, while primer extension studies showed cross-links to predominantly occur at guanine base on a 100-nucleotide DNA. The chemical species generated were examined using two peptides derived from the ribonuclease A sequence, N-acetyl-AAAKF and N-acetyl-AYKTT, which were cross-linked to 2'-deoxyguanosine. The cross-link products were spiroiminodihydantoin, guanidinohydantoin, and tyrosyl-based adducts. Formation of tyrosine-based adducts may be competitive with the more well-studied lysine-based cross-links. We conclude that oxidative cross-links may be present at high levels in cells since the propensity to oxidatively cross-link is high and so much of the genomic DNA is coated with protein.

Inhibitor design for ribonuclease A: the binding of two 5'-phosphate uridine analogues

In the quest for the rational design of selective and potent inhibitors for members of the pancreatic ribonuclease A (RNase A) family of biomedical interest, the binding of uridine 5'-phosphate (U5P) and uridine 5'-diphosphate (UDP) to RNase A have been investigated using kinetic studies and X-ray crystallography. Both nucleotides are competitive inhibitors of the enzyme, with K(i) values of 4.0 and 0.65 mM, respectively. They bind to the active site of the enzyme by anchoring two molecules connected to each other by hydrogen bonds and van der Waals interactions. While the first of the inhibitor molecules binds with its nucleobase in the pyrimidinyl-binding subsite, the second is bound at the purine-preferring subsite. The unexpected binding of a pyrimidine at the purine-binding subsite has added new important elements to the rational design approach for the discovery of new potent inhibitors of the RNase A superfamily.

A new crystal form of bovine pancreatic RNase A in complex with 2'-deoxyguanosine-5'-monophosphate

The structure of bovine pancreatic RNase A has been determined in complex with 2'-deoxyguanosine-5'-monophosphate (dGMP) at 1.33 A resolution at room temperature in a previously unreported unit cell belonging to space group P3(1). There are two molecules of nucleotide per enzyme molecule, one of which lies in the active-site cleft in the productive binding mode, whilst the guanine base of the other dGMP occupies the pyrimidine-specific binding site in a nonproductive mode such that it forms hydrogen bonds to the phosphate group of the first dGMP. This is the first RNase A structure containing a guanine base in the B2 binding site. Each dGMP molecule is involved in intermolecular interactions with adjacent RNase A molecules in the lattice and the two nucleotides appear to direct the formation of the crystal lattice. Because GMP may be produced during degradation of RNA, this association could represent an inhibitor complex and thereby affect the observed enzyme kinetics.

Recognition of ribonuclease A by 3'-5'-pyrophosphate-linked dinucleotide inhibitors: a molecular dynamics/continuum electrostatics analysis

The proteins of the pancreatic ribonuclease A (RNase A) family catalyze the cleavage of the RNA polymer chain. The development of RNase inhibitors is of significant interest, as some of these compounds may have a therapeutic effect in pathological conditions associated with these proteins. The most potent low molecular weight inhibitor of RNase reported to date is the compound 5'-phospho-2'-deoxyuridine-3-pyrophosphate (P-->5)-adenosine-3-phosphate (pdUppA-3'-p). The 3',5'-pyrophosphate group of this compound increases its affinity and introduces structural features which seem to be unique in pyrophosphate-containing ligands bound to RNase A, such as the adoption of a syn conformation by the adenosine base at RNase subsite B(2) and the placement of the 5'-beta-phosphate of the adenylate (instead of the alpha-phosphate) at subsite P(1) where the phosphodiester bond cleavage occurs. In this work, we study by multi-ns molecular dynamics simulations the structural properties of RNase A complexes with the ligand pdUppA-3'-p and the related weaker inhibitor dUppA, which lacks the 3' and 5' terminal phosphate groups of pdUppA-3'-p. The simulations show that the adenylate 5'-beta-phosphate binding position and the adenosine syn orientation constitute robust structural features in both complexes, stabilized by persistent interactions with specific active-site residues of subsites P(1) and B(2). The simulation structures are used in conjunction with a continuum-electrostatics (Poisson-Boltzmann) model, to evaluate the relative binding affinity of the two complexes. The computed relative affinity of pdUppA-3'-p varies between -7.9 kcal/mol and -2.8 kcal/mol for a range of protein/ligand dielectric constants (epsilon(p)) 2-20, in good agreement with the experimental value (-3.6 kcal/mol); the agreement becomes exact with epsilon(p) = 8. The success of the continuum-electrostatics model suggests that the differences in affinity of the two ligands originate mainly from electrostatic interactions. A residue decomposition of the electrostatic free energies shows that the terminal phosphate groups of pdUppA-3'-p make increased interactions with residues Lys(7) and Lys(66) of the more remote sites P(2) and P(0), and His(119) of site P(1).

Searching for silver bullets: an alternative strategy for crystallizing macromolecules

Based on a hypothesis that various small molecules might establish stabilizing, intermolecular, non covalent crosslinks in protein crystals and thereby promote lattice formation, we carried out three separate experiments. We assessed the impact of 200 chemicals on the propensity of 81 different proteins and viruses to crystallize. The experiments were comprised of 18240 vapor diffusion trials. A salient feature of the experiments was that, aside from the inclusion of the reagent mixes, only two fundamental crystallization conditions were used, 30% PEG 3350, and 50% Tacsimate at pH 7. Overall, 65 proteins (85%) were crystallized. Most significant was that 35 of the 65 (54%) crystallized only in the presence of one or more reagent mixes, but not in control samples lacking any additives. Among the most promising types of reagent mixes were those composed of polyvalent, charged groups, such as di and tri carboxylic acids, diamino compounds, molecules bearing one or more sulfonyl or phosphate groups, and a broad range of common biochemicals, coenzymes, biological effectors, and ligands. We propose that an alternate approach to crystallizing proteins might be developed, which employs a limited set of fundamental crystallization conditions combined with a broad screen of potentially useful small molecule additives.

The binding of 3′-N-piperidine-4-carboxyl-3′-deoxy-ara-uridine to ribonuclease A in the crystal

The binding of a moderate inhibitor, 3'-N-piperidine-4-carboxyl-3'-deoxy-ara-uridine, to ribonuclease A has been studied by X-ray crystallography at 1.7A resolution. Two inhibitor molecules are bound in the central RNA binding cavity of RNase A exploiting interactions with residues from peripheral binding sites rather than from the active site of the enzyme. The uracyl moiety of the first inhibitor molecule occupies the purine-preferring site of RNase A, while the rest of the molecule projects to the solvent. The second inhibitor molecule binds with the carboxyl group at the pyrimidine recognition site and the uridine moiety exploits interactions with RNase A residues Lys66, His119 and Asp121. Comparative structural analysis of the 3'-N-piperidine-4-carboxyl-3'-deoxy-ara-uridine complex with other RNase A-ligand complexes provides a structural explanation of its potency. The crystal structure of the RNase A-3'-N-piperidine-4-carboxyl-3'-deoxy-ara-uridine complex provides evidence of a novel ligand-binding pattern in RNase A for 3'-N-aminonucleosides that was not anticipated by modelling studies, while it also suggests ways to improve the efficiency and selectivity of such compounds to develop pharmaceuticals against pathologies associated with RNase A homologues.

Crystal structures of eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN) in complex with the inhibitors 5'-ATP, Ap3A, Ap4A, and Ap5A

Eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN) is a catalytically proficient member of the pancreatic ribonuclease superfamily secreted along with other eosinophil granule proteins during innate host defense responses and various eosinophil-related inflammatory and allergic diseases. The ribonucleolytic activity of EDN is central to its antiviral and neurotoxic activities and possibly to other facets of its biological activity. To probe the importance of this enzymatic activity further, specific inhibitors will be of great aid. Derivatives of 5'-ADP are among the most potent inhibitors currently known. Here, we use X-ray crystallography to investigate the binding of four natural nucleotides containing this moiety. 5'-ATP binds in two alternative orientations, one occupying the B2 subsite in a conventional manner and one being a retro orientation with no ordered adenosine moiety. Diadenosine triphosphate (Ap3A) and diadenosine tetraphosphate (Ap4A) bind with one adenine positioned at the B2 subsite, the polyphosphate chain extending across the P1 subsite in an ill-defined conformation, and a disordered second adenosine moiety. Diadenosine pentaphosphate (Ap5A), the most avid inhibitor of this series, binds in a completely ordered fashion with one adenine positioned conventionally at the B2 subsite, the polyphosphate chain occupying the P1 and putative P(-1) subsites, and the other adenine bound in a retro-like manner at the edge of the B1 subsite. The binding mode of each of these inhibitors has features seen in previously determined structures of adenosine diphosphates. We examine the structure-affinity relationships of these inhibitors and discuss the implications for the design of improved inhibitors.

The binding of IMP to ribonuclease A

The binding of inosine 5' phosphate (IMP) to ribonuclease A has been studied by kinetic and X-ray crystallographic experiments at high (1.5 A) resolution. IMP is a competitive inhibitor of the enzyme with respect to C>p and binds to the catalytic cleft by anchoring three IMP molecules in a novel binding mode. The three IMP molecules are connected to each other by hydrogen bond and van der Waals interactions and collectively occupy the B1R1P1B2P0P(-1) region of the ribonucleolytic active site. One of the IMP molecules binds with its nucleobase in the outskirts of the B2 subsite and interacts with Glu111 while its phosphoryl group binds in P1. Another IMP molecule binds by following the retro-binding mode previously observed only for guanosines with its nucleobase at B1 and the phosphoryl group in P(-1). The third IMP molecule binds in a novel mode towards the C-terminus. The RNase A-IMP complex provides structural evidence for the functional components of subsite P(-1) while it further supports the role inferred by other studies to Asn71 as the primary structural determinant for the adenine specificity of the B2 subsite. Comparative structural analysis of the IMP and AMP complexes highlights key aspects of the specificity of the base binding subsites of RNase A and provides a structural explanation for their potencies. The binding of IMP suggests ways to develop more potent inhibitors of the pancreatic RNase superfamily using this nucleotide as the starting point.

High-resolution crystal structures of ribonuclease A complexed with adenylic and uridylic nucleotide inhibitors. Implications for structure-based design of ribonucleolytic inhibitors

The crystal structures of bovine pancreatic ribonuclease A (RNase A) in complex with 3',5'-ADP, 2',5'-ADP, 5'-ADP, U-2'-p and U-3'-p have been determined at high resolution. The structures reveal that each inhibitor binds differently in the RNase A active site by anchoring a phosphate group in subsite P1. The most potent inhibitor of all five, 5'-ADP (Ki = 1.2 microM), adopts a syn conformation (in contrast to 3',5'-ADP and 2',5'-ADP, which adopt an anti), and it is the beta- rather than the alpha-phosphate group that binds to P1. 3',5'-ADP binds with the 5'-phosphate group in P1 and the adenosine in the B2 pocket. Two different binding modes are observed in the two RNase A molecules of the asymmetric unit for 2',5'-ADP. This inhibitor binds with either the 3' or the 5' phosphate groups in subsite P1, and in each case, the adenosine binds in two different positions within the B2 subsite. The two uridilyl inhibitors bind similarly with the uridine moiety in the B1 subsite but the placement of a different phosphate group in P1 (2' versus 3') has significant implications on their potency against RNase A. Comparative structural analysis of the RNase A, eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (EDN), eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), and human angiogenin (Ang) complexes with these and other phosphonucleotide inhibitors provides a wealth of information for structure-based design of inhibitors specific for each RNase. These inhibitors could be developed to therapeutic agents that could control the biological activities of EDN, ECP, and ANG, which play key roles in human pathologies.

Toward rational design of ribonuclease inhibitors: high-resolution crystal structure of a ribonuclease A complex with a potent 3',5'-pyrophosphate-linked dinucleotide inhibitor

The crystal structure of ribonuclease A (RNase A) in complex with pdUppA-3'-p [5'-phospho-2'-deoxyuridine-3'-pyrophosphate (P'-->5') adenosine 3'-phosphate] has been determined at 1.7 A resolution. This dinucleotide is the most potent low molecular weight inhibitor of RNase A reported to date (K(i) = 27 nM) and is also effective against two major nonpancreatic RNases: eosinophil-derived neurotoxin and RNase-4; in all cases, tight binding in large part derives from the unusual 3',5'-pyrophosphate internucleotide linkage [Russo, N., and Shapiro, R. (1999) J. Biol. Chem. 274, 14902-14908]. The design of pdUppA-3'-p was based on the crystal structure of RNase A complexed with 5'-diphosphoadenosine 3'-phosphate (ppA-3'-p) [Leonidas, D. D., Shapiro, R., Irons, L. I., Russo, N., and Acharya, K. R. (1997) Biochemistry 36, 5578-5588]. The adenosine of pdUppA-3'-p adopts an atypical syn conformation not observed for standard adenosine nucleotides bound to RNase A. This conformation, which allows extensive interactions with Asn 67, Gln 69, Asn 71, and His 119, is associated with the placement of the 5'-beta-phosphate of the adenylate, rather than alpha-phosphate, at the site where substrate phosphodiester bond cleavage occurs. The contacts of the deoxyuridine 5'-phosphate portion of pdUppA-3'-p appear to be responsible for the 9-fold increased affinity of this compound as compared to ppA-3'-p: the uracil base binds to Thr 45 in the same manner as previous pyrimidine inhibitors, and the terminal 5'-phosphate is positioned to form medium-range Coulombic interactions with Lys 66. The full potential benefit of these added interactions is not realized because of compensatory losses of hydrogen bonds of Lys 7 and Gln 11 with the terminal 3'-phosphate and the adenylate 5'-alpha-phosphate, which were not predicted by modeling. The results reported here have important implications for the design of improved inhibitors of RNase A and for the development of therapeutic agents to control the activities of RNase homologues such as eosinophil-derived neurotoxin and angiogenin that have roles in human pathologies.

Kinetic and product distribution analysis of human eosinophil cationic protein indicates a subsite arrangement that favors exonuclease-type activity

With the use of a high yield prokaryotic expression system, large amounts of human eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) have been obtained. This has allowed a thorough kinetic study of the ribonuclease activity of this protein. The catalytic efficiencies for oligouridylic acids of the type (Up)nU>p, mononucleotides U>p and C>p, and dinucleoside monophosphates CpA, UpA, and UpG have been interpreted by the specific subsites distribution in ECP. The distribution of products derived from digestion of high molecular mass substrates, such as poly(U) and poly(C), by ECP was compared with that of RNase A. The characteristic cleavage pattern of polynucleotides by ECP suggests that an exonuclease-like mechanism is predominantly favored in comparison to the endonuclease catalytic mechanism of RNase A. Comparative molecular modeling with bovine pancreatic RNase A-substrate analog crystal complexes revealed important differences in the subsite structure, whereas the secondary phosphate-binding site (p2) is lacking, the secondary base subsite (B2) is severely impaired, and there are new interactions at the po, Bo, and p-1 sites, located upstream of the P-O-5' cleavable phosphodiester bond, that are not found in RNase A. The differences in the multisubsites structure could explain the reduced catalytic efficiency of ECP and the shift from an endonuclease to an exonuclease-type mechanism.

The crystallographic structure of the subtilisin protease from Penicillium cyclopium

The major extracellular protease from the fungus Pencillium cyclopium was crystallized in the presence of p-phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride (PMSF) and investigated by X-ray diffraction analysis. It was subsequently cloned and the amino acid sequence deduced from its cDNA. Although the sequence is only 49% identical to that of proteinase K of Tritirachium album, the three-dimensional structures of the two proteases are virtually identical. The model for P. cyclopium protease was refined by simulated annealing to an R of 18% at 1.7 A resolution. The greatest variation from the proteinase K polypeptide is in loop 114-134 and is due to the absence of a disulfide bridge in the P. cyclopium protease that is present in proteinase K. A difference was also observed in the orientation of the histidine in the catalytic triad, though this could be due to the presence of PMSF at the active site. The coordination geometry of the strongly bound calcium in the P. cyclopium protease is octahedral and uses some different protein ligands than does proteinase K. In the protease from P. cyclopium there is no cysteine near the active site, nor is there a second calcium binding site as is found in proteinase K, suggesting that neither is important to catalytic activity.

Single-stranded DNA-protein interactions in canine parvovirus

BACKGROUND

Parvoviruses are small icosahedral single-stranded (ss) DNA viruses which replicate in rapidly proliferating cells, causing a variety of serious and often lethal diseases in mammals, including humans. The structure of canine parvovirus (CPV) showed an 11-nucleotide oligomeric fragment of its genome bound to 60 equivalent binding sites on the inside surface of the capsid. This provides an opportunity to study the conformation of ssDNA, its interactions with protein, and its role in viral assembly.

RESULTS

The icosahedrally ordered part of CPV ssDNA has an unusual loop conformation with the bases pointing outwards and the phosphates surrounding metal ions on the inside. The protein interacts with the bases, making 15 putative hydrogen bonds. The DNA electron density indicates preferences for particular base types in parts of the binding site. Statistical analysis of the genome yields approximately 30 regions with sequences similar to that observed in the structure, demonstrating a low level of sequence specificity for binding to capsid protein.

CONCLUSIONS

ssDNA can adopt unusual conformations upon association with protein by using phosphoribose backbone rotamers that are found in tRNA, but not in DNA duplexes. The CPV DNA-protein interactions differ from the non-specific backbone interactions seen in some plant and insect viruses. The sequence specificity, albeit low level, of the protein for CPV DNA may contribute both to distinguishing the viral DNA from other nucleic acids and to the DNA packaging process during viral assembly.

Interaction of semisynthetic variants of RNase A with ribonuclease inhibitor

Derivatives of ribonuclease A (RNase A) with modifications in positions 1 and/or 7 were prepared by subtilisin-catalyzed semisynthesis starting from synthetic RNase 1-20 peptides and S-protein (RNase 21-124). The lysyl residue at position 1 was replaced by alanine, whereas Lys-7 was replaced by cysteine that was specifically modified prior to semisynthesis. The enzymes obtained were characterized by protein chemical methods and were active toward uridylyl-3',5'-adenosine and yeast RNA. When Lys-7 was replaced by S-methyl-cysteine or S-carboxamido-contrast, the catalytic properties were only slightly altered. The dissociation constant for the RNase A-RI complex increased from 74 fM (RNase A) to 4.5 pM (Lys-1, Cys-7-methyl RNase), corresponding to a decrease in binding energy of 10 kJ mol-1. Modifications that introduced a positive charge in position 7 (S-aminoethyl- or S-ethylpyridyl-cysteine) led to much smaller losses. The replacement of Lys-1 resulted in a 4-kJ mol-1 loss in binding energy. S-protein bound to RI with Ki = 63.4 pM, 800-fold weaker than RNase A. This corresponded to a 16-kJ mol-1 difference in binding energy. The results show that the N-terminal portion of RNase A contributes significantly to binding of ribonuclease inhibitor and that ionic interactions of Lys-7 and to a smaller extent of Lys-1 provide most of the binding energy.

Intramolecular interactions in pancreatic ribonucleases

A detailed analysis of the composition and properties of hydrophobic nuclei and microclusters in pancreatic ribonuclease A (RNase A) has been carried out. Distance calculations for all noncovalently bonded atoms revealed that the average number of nonpolar contacts between a side chain of an amino acid and its neighbors is substantially larger if it involves hydrophobic residues rather than nonhydrophobic ones. However, the difference decreased when the number of contacts per nonpolar group and/or atom were calculated. Three main nuclei and five microclusters were identified, and their quantitative parameters were calculated. These nuclei include hydrophobic residues with a substantial number of nonpolar contacts with the environment (Phe 8, Phe 120, Phe 46, Tyr 25, Tyr 97, Ile 107, Leu 35, Ile 81, Val 54, Val 108, Met 29, Met 30). Hydrophobic nuclei of RNase A differ in shape and in composition, in the number of intranuclear contacts and of associated residues, as well as in their internal mobility. All eight cysteine residues are involved in nonpolar interactions with amino acid residues of hydrophobic nuclei. Active site amino acid residues of RNase A form a noncovalent contact network comprised of themselves, as well as of many conserved residues from hydrophobic nuclei. Sequence alignment with some other members of the RNase A family of proteins shows remarkable similarity in positions and in conservation of the main nonpolar residues, comprising cores of two (out of three) hydrophobic nuclei. A correlation was shown to exist between the average density of contacts for side-chain atoms and the number of amino acids to be found in the appropriate positions in the sequences of related mammalian ribonucleases. However, there are certain amino acid positions in the third, smaller nucleus, which are highly variable within the family. Taking into account that this nucleus is composed of residues belonging to different elements of the secondary structure, it is likely that the mutual orientation of these elements can be somehow different for these proteins.

Computer modeling studies on the subsite interactions of ribonuclease T1

The modes of binding of pGp,ApG,CpG and UpG to the enzyme ribonuclease T1 were determined by computer modeling. Essentially two binding modes are possible for all the four ligands--one with the 3'-phosphate group occupying the phosphate binding site (substrate mode of binding) and the second with the 5'-phosphate group occupying the phosphate binding site (inhibitor mode of binding). The latter binding mode is energetically favoured over the former and in this mode the base (G) and the 5'-phosphate moieties occupy the same sites on the enzyme as 5'-GMP when bound to RNase T1. The ribose moiety of pGp adopts a C3'-endo pucker form when bound to the enzyme and the glycosyl torsion angle will be in -syn range as 5'-GMP in the RNase T1-5'-GMP complex. Based on these results, a mechanism for the release of the product subsequent to cleavage of the substrate by the enzyme has been proposed. The amino acid residues Asn98 and Tyr45 are shown to form the subsites for the phosphate and the base respectively on the 5'-side of the guanine occupying the primary binding site. These studies also provide a stereochemical explanation for the specificity of the 1N subsite for adenine.

Novel non-productively bound ribonuclease inhibitor complexes--high resolution X-ray refinement studies on the binding of RNase-A to cytidylyl-2',5'-guanosine (2',5'CpG) and deoxycytidylyl-3',5'-guanosine (3',5'dCpdG)

The X-ray structures of two complexes of bovine ribonuclease-A produced by soaking pre-grown crystals in solutions of the inhibitors cytidylyl-2',5'-guanosine (2',5' CpG) and deoxycytidylyl-3',5'-guanosine (3',5'dCpdG) have been determined at 1.5 A resolution and refined by restrained least squares to R = 21.0% for 17,855 reflections, and R = 19.1% for 16,347 reflections, respectively. Binding of the substrate analogs to the protein has taken place in a completely unexpected and previously unreported manner. In each case the guanine base occupies the well characterized B1 pyrimidine binding site adjacent to Thr-45 (described by Richards, F.M., Wyckoff, H.W., Carlson, W.D., Allewell, N.M., Lee, B. and Mitsui, Y. (1971) Cold Spring Harbor Symp. Quant. Biol. 36, 35-54, and others including Palmer, R.A., Moss, D.S., Haneef, I. and Borkakoti, N. (1984) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 785, 81-88) having entered through a secondary channel external to the active site itself. We designate this reversed non-productive mode as retro-binding. In this mode of binding the SO4(2-) anion bound in the active site of the native protein crystals (Borkakoti, N., Moss, D.S. and Palmer, R.A. (1982) Acta Crystallogr. B38 2210-2217) has not been displaced by the phosphate of the inhibitor molecule as originally anticipated and observed in other studies. Instead the CMP or dCMP moiety of the inhibitor molecule is held loosely in a channel running towards the surface of the protein molecule and is thus completely external to the active site. Consequently, although it has been possible to model them, no attempt has been made to refine either the disordered cytosine in the CpG complex or the deoxycytosine in the dCpdG complex. The traditional B2 purine binding site of RNase (Richards et al., 1971) is unoccupied by the soaked inhibitors. Important changes that have taken place in the protein structure include: stabilization of both Lys-41 and Gln-11 via H-bonding to SO4(2-); stabilization of His-119 in the A conformation (Borkakoti, N., Moss, D.S. and Palmer, R.A. (1982) Acta Crystallogr. B38 2210-2217); and stabilization of SO4(2-) by H-bonds formed with the retro-bound guanine base. Binding of the inhibitors and stabilization of the active site is accompanied by displacement and redistribution of solvent molecules.

Crystal structure of a barnase-d(GpC) complex at 1.9 A resolution

The ribonuclease excreted by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Barnase, was co-crystallized with the deoxy-dinucleotide d(GpC). The crystal structure was determined by molecular replacement from a model of free Barnase previously derived by Mauguen et al. Refinement was carried out using data to 1.9 A resolution. The final model, which has a crystallographic R factor of 22%, includes 869 protein atoms, 38 atoms from d(GpC), a sulfate ion and 73 water molecules. Only minor differences from free Barnase are seen in the protein moiety, the root-mean-square C alpha movement being 0.45 A. The dinucleotide has a folded conformation. It is located near the active site of the enzyme, but outside the protein molecule and making crystal packing contacts with neighboring molecules. The guanine base is stacked on the imidazole ring of active site His102, rather than binding to the so-called recognition loop as it does in other complexes of guanine nucleotides with microbial nucleases. The deoxyguanosine is syn, with the sugar ring in C-2'-endo conformation; the deoxycytidine is anti and C-4'-exo. In addition to the stacking interaction, His102 hydrogen bonds to the free 5' hydroxyl, which is located near the position where the 3' phosphate group is found in other inhibitors of microbial ribonucleases. While the mode of binding observed with d(GpC) and Barnase would be non-productive for a dinucleotide substrate, it may define a site for the nucleotide product on the 3' side of the hydrolyzed bond.

Chemical modification by pyridoxal 5'-phosphate and cyclohexane-1,2-dione indicates that Lys-7 and Arg-10 are involved in the p2 phosphate-binding subsite of bovine pancreatic ribonuclease A

Steric and chemical evidence had previously shown that residues Lys-7 and/or Arg-10 of bovine pancreatic RNAase A could belong to the p2 phosphate-binding subsite, adjacent to the 3' side of the main site p1. In the present work chemical modification of the enzyme with pyridoxal 5'-phosphate and cyclohexane-1,2-dione was carried out in order to identify these residues positively as part of the p2 site. The reaction with pyridoxal 5'-phosphate yields three monosubstituted derivatives, at Lys-1, Lys-7 and Lys-41. A strong decrease in the yield of derivatives at Lys-7 and Lys-41 was observed when either p1 or p2 was specifically blocked by 5'-AMP or 3'-AMP respectively. These experiments indicate that both sites are needed for the reaction of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate with RNAase A to take place. The positive charge in one of the sites interacts with the phosphate group of pyridoxal 5'-phosphate, giving the proper orientation to the carbonyl group, which then reacts with the lysine residue present in the other site. The absence of reaction between pyridoxal 5'-phosphate and an RNAase derivative that has the p2 site blocked supports this hypothesis. Labelling of Lys-7 with pyridoxal 5'-phosphate has a more pronounced effect on the kinetics with RNA than with the smaller substrate 2',3'-cyclic CMP. In addition, when the phosphate moiety of the 5'-phosphopyridoxyl group was removed with alkaline phosphatase the kinetic constants with 2',3'-cyclic CMP returned to values very similar to those of the native enzyme, whereas a higher Km and lower Vmax. were still observed for RNA. This indicates that this new derivative has recovered a free p1 site and, hence, the capability to act on 2',3'-cyclic CMP, but the presence of the pyridoxyl group bound to Lys-7 is still blocking a secondary phosphate-binding site, namely p2. Finally, reaction of cyclohexane-1,2-dione at Arg-10 is suppressed in the presence of 3'-AMP but only a 19% decrease is observed with 5'-AMP, suggesting that Arg-10 is also close to the p2 phosphate-binding subsite.

Role of the hydrophobic effect in stability of site-specific protein-DNA complexes

The site-specific binding interaction of lac repressor with a symmetric operator sequence and of EcoRI endonuclease with its specific recognition site both exhibit a characteristic dependence of equilibrium binding constant (Kobs) on temperature, in which Kobs attains a relative maximum in the physiologically relevant temperature range. This behavior, which appears to be quite general for site-specific protein-DNA interactions, is indicative of a large negative standard heat capacity change (delta C0P,obs) in the association process. By analogy with model compound transfer studies and protein folding data, we propose that this delta C0P,obs results primarily from the removal of non-polar surface from water in the association process. From delta C0P,obs we obtain semiquantitative information regarding the change in water-exposed non-polar surface area (delta Anp) and the corresponding hydrophobic driving force for association (delta G0hyd): delta G0hyd approximately equal to 8(+/- 1) x 10(1) delta C0P,obs approximately equal to -22(+/- 5) delta Anp. We propose that removal of non-polar surface from water (the hydrophobic effect) and release of cations (the polyelectrolyte effect) drive the thermodynamically unfavorable process (e.g. conformational distortions) necessary to achieve mutually complementary recognition surfaces (at a steric and functional-group level) in the specific complex.

Effect of protein side chain amide group on the hydrogen-bond equilibrium in nucleobases studied by infrared and 13C-NMR spectroscopy

Infrared spectra of 1:1 hydrogen-bonded complexes formed by derivatives of adenine and model molecules bearing the protein side chain amide group have been measured in chloroform solution. From the temperature dependence of hydrogen-bond formation, thermodynamic data on these complexes are determined. On the basis of these data, it is shown that the complexes consist of cyclic heterodimers, those that use the adenine N(1)H bond being favoured. Similarly infrared and 13C-NMR spectroscopy reveals that uracil-amide cyclic heterodimers formed through the uracil 4-carbonyl group are predominant. All of these results predict that Watson-Crick hydrogen bonds in adenine-uracil base-pairs may be opened to some extent, as proved in this work. The possible biological importance of these observations is also discussed.

Sequential 1H-NMR assignment and solution structure of bovine pancreatic ribonuclease A

Assignments for 1H-NMR resonances of most of the residues of bovine pancreatic ribonuclease (RNase A) have been obtained by sequence-specific methods. Identification and classification of spin systems have been carried out by two-dimensional phase-sensitive correlated spectroscopy (360 MHz) and single relayed coherence transfer spectroscopy. Sequence-specific assignments have been achieved by phase-sensitive two-dimensional nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy. To overcome the problem of spectral overlap use has been made of (a) an exhaustive analysis of partly exchanged RNase A (spectra in D2O), (b) a comparison with the subtilisin-modified enzyme (RNase S) and (c) small spectral perturbations caused by changes in pH and temperature. The secondary structure elements have been identified from the observed sequential, medium and long-range nuclear Overhauser effects together with data from amide-exchange rates. All information collected leads to the conclusion that the crystal and the solution structures are closely similar.

Oligonucleotide structure: a decade of results from single crystal X-ray diffraction studies

Writing a review gives authors a splendid opportunity to view developments in a particular area of science from a very personal angle. They are at liberty to select material, emphasize aspects of direct interest to their own work and air speculations which, wisely or not, referees have caused to have removed from their publications. Such personal accounts often make good reading, but may be somewhat misleading especially for readers seeking an introduction to the field. One remedy is to aim at a comprehensive review with equal weight given to all publications but boredom, if not bias, is then likely to creep in.

Nucleotide binding and affinity labelling support the existence of the phosphate-binding subsite p2 in bovine pancreatic ribonuclease A

When the reaction of bovine pancreatic ribonuclease A with 6-chloropurine riboside 5'-monophosphate was carried out in the presence of several natural mononucleotides, a decrease of 25-75% was found in the amount of the reaction product derivative II (the main product of the reaction which has the nucleotide label at the alpha-NH2 group of Lys-1). The efficiency of inhibition followed the order 3'-AMP greater than 5'CMP approximately equal to 5'AMP greater than 3'CMP. Previous studies indicate that this order reflects the extent of occupancy of p2, a phosphate-binding subsite adjacent to the catalytic centre. This finding suggests that derivative II is the result of affinity labelling and that the phosphate group of the halogenated nucleotide binds to p2 before the reaction takes place. The dissociation constants and stoichiometry of the interaction between native enzyme, derivative II and derivative E (homologous to derivative II, but labelled with a nucleoside instead of a nucleotide) with 3'AMP and 5'AMP at several pH values were also determined. Although in general one strong binding site was found, no strong binding occurs between 3'AMP and derivative II. It is concluded that the phosphate of the label occupies the same site p2, as the phosphate of 3'AMP. Finally, the pH dependence for the binding of 3'AMP and 5'AMP to RNAase A indicates that they bind to different protein groups. The results presented support the structure of the active site of ribonuclease A postulated previously (Parés, X., Llorens, R., Arús, C. and Cuchillo, C.M. (1980) Eur. J. Biochem. 105, 571-579).

The mechanism of binding of a polynucleotide chain to pancreatic ribonuclease

The crystalline complex of pancreatic ribonuclease (RNase) with oligomers of d(pA)4 has been solved by x-ray diffraction methods and refined by standard procedures to a conventional crystallographic R factor of 0.22 at 2.5 angstrom resolution. The asymmetric unit is a complex of one RNase molecule associated with four d(pA)4 oligomers. Although the DNA in this complex is segmented, and therefore shows some discontinuities, it nevertheless traces a continuous path 12 nucleotides in length that passes through the active site cleft of the enzyme and over the surface of the protein. The DNA makes a series of eight to nine electrostatic bonds between its phosphate groups and lysine and arginine residues on the protein, as well as specific chemical interactions at the active site. The path described by the sequence of nucleotides is likely to be that taken by an extended polynucleotide chain when it is bound by the enzyme.